"Was it? Was it?" She clapped her hands joyously.

"We can use it as Chapter Two, with very few changes, and from now on
you can build your story about the characters you have introduced, with
a spinal cord of plot to give it shape."

"It frightens me to death, to think of doing it. I have always thought
it took genius to write a novel."

"My dear young woman, not in this day, when publishing houses gush books
like so many geysers. Anybody with your gift of words and vivid
reactions ought to find writing the line of least resistance. Of course
you can do it."

"I'd adore trying if you'd help me."

"That's agreed."

He watched the concentration of her face with interest. She was wrapped
in the thought of the book. She was attacking it, on all sides, with the
lance of her mind. When she threw herself into every new interest with
such abandon, it was no wonder that she gave out impressions with the
same intensity.

"What about the box I'm in?" he reminded her. She came out of her trance
with a start.

"I'd forgotten all about you," she said frankly. "I had to explain you
to the 'Heavenly Twins,' somehow. If I said you were an editor, they
would naturally ask why you came to see me?"

"I never thought of that. I am afraid I've put you in an embarrassing
position."

"Oh, not at all. I've put you in one. I told them you were the brother
of an old classmate, stopping over in town for a day, and that you were
to look me up."

"Did I know you well when you were in college?", he smiled.

"I didn't intend to have you know me well, but Jarvis showed such
unexpected interest in you that you are suspected of having known me
rather well."

"Sort of an old affair?"

"Sort of," she laughed up at him.

"I get the idea. Have I your permission to play the role in my own way?"

"Yes, only don't betray me. The 'Twins' will only be around at
lunch-time. After that, we can talk book."

"Good! I'll play up with my best amateur theatrical manner," he
responded, as they entered the garden. "This is the arithmetical
garden," he said "It's true. Why, it's just like an 'Alice in
Wonderland' experience, coming into something I have known in some other
state of consciousness."

"Oh, yes, it's true. That's all I am, a sort of a camera."

"What a picture-book house!" he added. "It's just right for you."

As they went into the screened porch Jarvis arose, slowly, from the
hammock. Mr. Strong stopped, really amazed, as the spl